Flyers Could Benefit Greatly from Potential Surprise AHL Rule Change

Flyers prospect Jack Nesbitt could play in the AHL as soon as the 2026-27 season. (Photo: Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

A rumored AHL rule change could have a profound impact on the way the Philadelphia Flyers choose to develop their prospects in the future, and especially with Jack Nesbitt.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, a change to the upcoming CBA will allow each NHL team to assign one CHL player to the AHL per season, with the rule being that the player must be 19 years old.

"Sources say a new provision in the CBA will allow each NHL team to place one 19-year-old CHL player in the AHL per season," Seravalli reported on X Thursday. "One per organization per season and 18-year-olds are ineligible. Begins in 2026-27 season."

This is big news for the Flyers because it will allow them to have more hands-on development with one of their top prospects each year and begin seasoning them against a higher level of competition.

The rule change would have benefitted players like Jett Luchanko and Porter Martone, both 18, but as Seravalli noted, it won't take effect until next season.

Luchanko and Martone will each turn 19 before the start of November, but they still belong to junior hockey teams, making them ineligible for the AHL.

Because Luchanko already signed his entry-level contract, the NCAA isn't an option for him like it is for Martone.

Luchanko's situation is exactly the one the Flyers, the AHL, and the CHL are hoping to avoid and eliminate with this idea, given that he's already played four NHL games and probably between NHL and CHL competition at this stage in his development.

The same happened with Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright a few seasons ago, too.

But, looking towards the future, the Flyers could allow Nesbitt to play this season with the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL, take on a more prominent role, challenge for the Memorial Cup, then turn pro after.

Training with professionals earlier will help Nesbitt fill out his lanky frame quicker, which could, in turn, help fix his wonky skating and generate more powerful strides.

The Flyers' No. 12 pick turns 19 years old on Jan. 12, making him comfortably eligible for this AHL rule change if the Flyers elect to go this route.

Other prospects who could get the same consideration include Jack Murtagh and Matthew Gard, but Nesbitt, as the more highly-regarded prospect, should be first in line in all circumstances.